pinnacle

noun

ˈpi-ni-kəl How to pronounce pinnacle (audio)
Definition of pinnaclenext
as in zenith
the highest part or point a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pinnacle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinnacle are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to pinnacle?

Although the words acme and pinnacle have much in common, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When is it sensible to use apex instead of pinnacle?

The meanings of apex and pinnacle largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When could climax be used to replace pinnacle?

The words climax and pinnacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When is culmination a more appropriate choice than pinnacle?

In some situations, the words culmination and pinnacle are roughly equivalent. However, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When might peak be a better fit than pinnacle?

While the synonyms peak and pinnacle are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When can summit be used instead of pinnacle?

The words summit and pinnacle can be used in similar contexts, but summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pinnacle The Corleone crime family is at the pinnacle of power at the start of the movie, but then the head of the family is seriously injured and his eldest son is murdered. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 21 Mar. 2025 But a month after reaching that pinnacle, Majors was arrested following a fight with his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025 Formula 1 is not a playground, this is the pinnacle of world motor sports. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 But after 12 people underwent a 34-day hunger strike in 2015, the pinnacle of a yearslong protest by community leaders determined to keep a neighborhood school, the district reversed its decision. —Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinnacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinnacle
  1. zenith
  2. top
  3. peak
  4. culmination
  5. height
  6. apex
Noun
  • Kitamura’s actor, too, has achieved a kind of creative and professional zenith only after renouncing the prospect of such a home, and Xavier’s claim suddenly confronts her with the alternative reality of being a very different kind of character: a mother.
    — Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Simon Fisher-Becker, who reached a career zenith in the original Harry Potter film and Doctor Who on television, died on Sunday, March 9.
    — Marc Berman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • In the top of the seventh inning Friday, Harvey jogged in from the bullpen.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
  • That offered just a brief snapshot into the warmth and generosity of an athlete who constantly inspires, though Tui’s bubbly, eccentric exterior belies her challenging and often traumatic journey to the top of international rugby.
    — George Ramsay and Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of top
Noun
  • Plus, the act of putting a mask on in and of itself feels like peak self-care.
    — Annie Blackman, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Doncic was traded seemingly at the peak of his career, which made the trade even more shocking and inexplicable.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of peak
Noun
  • The 4,000-square-foot unit at 425 Broome Street is the culmination of a series of pop-ups that the brand has opened around the world over the past six years.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s tariffs are the culmination of a decades-long shift in political perceptions in the United States, in which trade has gone from an unalloyed good to the source of all ills.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of culmination
Noun
  • This change makes the full height of the screen available for displaying photos rather than reserving a bar at the bottom just for buttons.
    — Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The future of women’s boxing is now, and MVP is proud to lead the charge in taking the sport to unprecedented heights.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of height
Noun
  • WrestleMania season stands as the apex of excitement for WWE fans, a two-night spectacle promising the year's most monumental moments.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Zahn McClarnon’s depiction of Joe’s resentment and guilt, still simmering but on the verge of spilling over, reaches its apex by episode’s end.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Pinnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinnacle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pinnacle

Nglish: Translation of pinnacle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinnacle

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